Bridgewater-Raynham baseball looking for repeat with strong pitching

Less than a year ago, the Bridgewater-Raynham baseball team was on top of the world.

Steve Sanchez Gazette Sports Editor @Chezsports

BRIDGEWATER — Less than a year ago, the Bridgewater-Raynham baseball team was on top of the world.

The Trojans defeated Nashoba High School, 4-0, to win their first-ever Division I state championship.

B-R is once again poised to make another strong run at the state title in 2014, thanks to the brilliant arms of Jack Connolly, Andrew Noviello and Josh Monson.

The trio is currently 12-1 through 13 games with an earned run average of 1.32. Opponents are hitting just .204 against them (67 hits in 328 plate appearances).

“We knew this year that pitching was going to be our biggest thing,” said Connolly, who is currently 6-1 with an ERA of 1.43. “We all grew a lot from last’s year state championship team.”

Both Connolly and Noveillo were sophomores last season when the Trojans cruised to the title. Noviello, who has two saves along with a 3-0 mark and ERA of 1.33 this year, said it is no different this season.”

“We just go one game at a time — hit the ball and pitch,” he said “Obviously, that is our main focus. Hit the ball well, pitch and play good defense. It has been good so far.”

One of the biggest surprises this year has been the emergence of Josh Monson, who pitched primarily as the No. 4 starter in 2013. Opponents against Monson hit only .167 against him — the lowest on the staff. He has a 3-0 record and owns the team’s best ERA mark of 1.06.

“Coming off the state championship last year and with Mike Bruemmel leaving, it was a big step up for me,” Monson said. “I worked out really hard in the winter to get ready for this year. I wanted to be that third man to Jack (Connolly) and Andrew (Noviello). I really want to make a big contribution to this team this year.”

B-R had its 17-game winning streak (dating back to last season) snapped by Durfee Friday, 7-6. But the Trojans quickly bounced back with a win against Hingham the following day.

Longtime head coach John Kearney is not surprised with the performances of his three pitchers.

“No, not at all,” Kearney said. “Jack and Andrew have already proven themselves as sophomores that they can handle this. Josh was our No. 4 last year and he showed at times, especially in the tournament when he came in and handled pressure situations against very good teams.”

Good offense has also had a calming effect on Connolly, Noviello and Monson continued domination on the hill.

B-R is hitting a sizzling .362 at the plate through 13 games with 14 home runs and 109 RBI.

“It’s great, the bats are coming around and we’re scoring so many runs,” Connolly said. “You can’t tell who is the best because they’re doing so good. It’s great. I literally don’t worry if we are going to get any runs back we allow. Our lineup is stacked.”

Monson agreed.

“We may give up a couple of runs, but we are not going to let that affect us,” Monson said. “Knowing that I have a good offense and defense behind me. We have a very strong infield and strong outfield. Offensively, we have the first five batters who can crush the ball and bring in some runs for us.”

Of course, good pitching can’t succeed without a solid batterymate.

All three pitchers rely heavily on senior catcher and captain Joe Freiday.

“Joe Freiday is the best catcher I’ve ever thrown to in my life,” Monson said. “ He’s the guy I can trust to drop a curve or if I throw it in the dirt. I know he will block it. You don’t get passed balls either. When he comes to plate, he’ll rip one. He is the man.”

Kearney said with a year under his belt, Freiday calls between 50 to 80 percent of the pitches.

“The biggest thing for a pitcher is that they know they can throw one away and Joe will keep it in front of him,” Kearney said.

Freiday is Connolly’s cousin and the two have been on the same page since opening day.

“The chemistry between us is unbelievable,” Connolly said. “It’s great playing with him — cousinly love.”

Noviello said Freiday is a team leader, a great captain and a big help behind the plate.

“Honestly, you can’t describe it,” Noveillo said. “I like him.”

Even with the loss of Bruemmel, the three star pitchers look to amp things up down the stretch before the postseason. They do have the experience for an encore.

“All three of them faced the best teams in Division I,” Kearney said. “They know they can pitch against that type of quality opponents. I think the three of them combined have done a nice job teaming up for the loss of Bruemmel’s graduation.”

Noviello expects a big push by his teammates.

“Teams are out to beat us but we’re up for the challenge,” he said. “It has been good so far. We are just playing hard.”